Fuse for projectiles



Jun@ il@ 1936., H. H. ZORNIG g@ l .FUSE FOR PROJEC'IQILES Filed oct. 2e,1954 @sheets-"sheet 2 fig-E Ir-Lvanim Hermann H Zm'njg Patented June 16,1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE Hermann H. zornig, United states Army,Newhall, Iowa Application October 26,

11 Claims.

1934, Serial No. 750,145

(Granted under the act of VMarch 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370O. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and 'usedby or for the Government for governmental purposes, without lthe paymentto me of any royalty thereon.

The subject of this invention is a fuse for projectiles.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an arming device for a fusewhich will be safe during handling and transportation Vand reliable inoperation when a projectile equipped with the fuse is fired from a gun.

The invention consists generally in latching a movable member in a safeposition and arranging the latches so that they can only be releasedwhen the fuse Yis subjected to the iniluence of forces corresponding tothe forces of set back and rotation applied in the sequence anddirection in which these forces occur when the lprojectile is red from agun.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides inthe novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood thatchanges in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed maybe made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, where- 1n:

F'ig. 1 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinalsection showing the arming device in side elevation.

Figs. 2 to 6 are longitudinal sectional views showing various positionsassumed by the arming device.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the base of the plunger.

Fig. 9 is a detail view in side elevation of one of the links.

Fig. 10 is a detail View in end elevation of Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 the fuse casing consists generally of a body5 having a recessed forward end for threadedly receiving a nose 6. Thenose is formed with a large rear chamber l and a front chamber 8. Anapertured plug 9 threadedly secured to the nose separates the chambers land 3 and includes a tubular guide I projecting rearwardly into thechamber l.

A plunger mounted in the nose comprises a long tube II extending throughthe guide lo and an enlarged base I2 positioned at the rear end of thetube in the chamber 1. The tube is preferably formed of several parts toconveniently carry a primer-detonator I3 in its forward end. 'I'heforward end of the tube extends into the chamber 8 and into an invertedcup I4 disposed in the chamber.

The cup Irl is formed with a flange I5 on its lower open end and aspring 'I6 confined between the flange and the front wall Il of thechamber B normally maintains Ythe flange on a shoulder I8 of the plug 9.The 'ange or lip of the cup I4 is also adapted to be engaged by anannular shoulder I9 on the tube II whereby vthe plunger is yieldinglyheld against forward movement towards a ring pin 2U.

The firing pin (Fig. 2) mounted in a recess 2l in the nose has its pointnormally disposed in an aperture 22 in the cup ILS. The firing pin issecured to a disc 23 which is held in forward position Yagainst a stop24 by a shell 25 which is adapted to be crushed onimpact.

The base I2 of the plunger (Figs. 5-10) is 'provided on its forward facewith a ring 26 having a plurality of equi-distantly spaced slots 21. yThe ring is formed with a peripherally disposed groove 28 for receivinga wire 29. A plurality of similar latches or links 33, preferably oflaminated construction, are pivotally carried by the wire 29, each linkhaving its head 3l -disposed in one of the slots 2l. The forward o-rfree end of each link is formed into a foot 32 with an arcuate face 33adapted to engage an inclined face 34 on the tubular guide I0.

The inside part of the head 3l of each link is formed with jaws .S5- 35to provide a mouth for receiving the flange 36 on the rear end of asleeve 3l. The sleeve slidably embraces the tube II and has a flange 38n its forward end for seating a spring 39 which encircles the tube IIand bears against an annular shoulder All formed thereon.

The sleevetl is normally moved to the rear by the spring 39 and byvirtue of its engagement with the links 39, the latter are moved andheld in an inclined position with relation to the axis of the fuse, withtheir feet 32 engaging the guide I0 as shown in Figs. l and 2 and theirheads 3| engaging the base I2 of the plunger.

A cylindrical casing (Fig. 3) enclosing the base I2 of the plunger andthe links 30 comprises a main rear part il of smaller diameter than thefront part 62 and joined thereto by a perpendicularly offset shoulder 43which is associated with an inwardly projecting flange or ring 43a (Fig.6). The casing is movably mounted in the chamber 1, being normallymaintained in the forward end thereof by means of a spring 44 embracingthe reduced part 4I and coniined between the shoulder 43 and the body 5which closes the rear end of the chamber 1.

When the casing is in the forward position (Fig. 2), the reduced part 4Iextends forwardly of the rear end of the guide I and being in the pathof movement of the links 3U prevents them from moving completely out ofengagement with the guide. When the casing is in the rearward position(Figs. 3 and 4) the front part 42 permits the links to move sufficientlyto clear the guide IIJ.

The normal position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 2 with the casing4I-42 in forward position and the plunger I I--I2 in rearward positionwhere it is held by the links 30. The links are maintained in engagementwith the guide I9 by the sleeve 31 and spring 39 and even though theyare capable of limited movement they cannot be released because of theopposition of the main part 4I rof the casing. In the safe position ofFig. 2, if the nose is struck pushing in the firing pin 20 by crushingthe sleeve 25 the vdetonator is so far back that the firing pin cannotreach it. If the projectile is retarded without crushing in the ring pinas in case of ricochet Vthe detonator cannot move forward on account ofthe latches 30.

When a projectile equipped with the fuse is subjected to the forces ofset-back, as occurs when it is red from a gun, the parts assume theposition shown in Fig. 3. The casing II- 42 has moved to the rear touncover the feet 32 of the links.

Rotation of the projectile causes the links to swing outwardly under theaction of centrifugal force and against the action of the spring 39-asshown in Fig. 4, the links being constrained to simultaneous movement byvirtue of their relation to the sleeve 31. When the casing recovers fromthe influence of the force of set-back it moves forwardly (Fig. underthe action of its spring and the flange 43EL picks up the feet 32 of thelinks and carries the links and the plunger I I-I 2 along if the plungerhas not already crept forward due to deceleration. The plunger I I-I2 isheld against further forward movement until impact by means of thespring I6. In the position of Fig. 5, if the nose is struck pushing ringpin in by crushing sleeve 25 ring pin can reach the detonatorfunctioning fuse. If the projectile is retarded without crushing infiring pin as in the case of ricochet the tube II moves forward due toits momentum compressing spring I5 and carrying detonator I3 againstfiring pin. Spring I6 is provided to prevent tube II creeping forwardduring night of the projectile and carrying detonator on to firing-pinbefore impact of the projectile.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown the position of the parts whererotation occurs before setback is completed. In this instance the flange43a will engage the feet of the links and the casing 4I-42 will beincapable of further rearward movement. Y

I claim:

1. In a fuse, a container having a chamber, a tubular guide extendinginto` the front part of the chamber, a plunger disposed in the chamberand having a tube extending into the guide, centrifugally movable linkspivotally mounted at their rear ends in the plunger, a foot on the frontend of each link adapted to engage the guide whereby the links hold theplunger in rearward position, a head on the rear end of each link andhaving a jaw, a sleeve on the tube of the plunger and having a flangeinserted in the jaws of the links, a spring confined between the frontend of the sleeve and a portion of the tube of the plunger, a casingmovably mounted in the chamber and enclosing the links, said casingadapted to move on set-back and having an offset to provide a reducedrear part and an enlarged front part, and a spring normally holding thecasing with its reduced part in position to oppose movement of the linksout of engagement with the guide.

2. In a fuse, a container having a chamber, a tubular guide extendinginto the front part of the chamber, a plunger disposed in the chamberand having a tube extending into the guide, centrifugally movable linkspivotally mounted at their rear ends in the plunger, a foot on the frontend of each link adapted to engage the guide whereby the links hold theplunger in rearward position, means on the tube of the plunger andacting on the links to normally hold them in engagement with the guide,a casing movably mounted in the chamber and enclosing the links, saidYcasing adapted to move on setback and having an offset to provide areduced rear part and an enlarged front part, and a'spring normallyholding the casing with its reduced part in position to oppose movementof the links out of engagement with the guide.

Y 3. In a fuse, a container having a chamber, a

tubular guide extending into the front part of the chamber, a plungerdisposed in the chamber and having a tube extending into the guide,centrifugally movable links pivotally mounted at their rear ends in theplunger, a foot on the front end of each link adapted to engage theguide whereby the links hold the plunger in rearward position, meansacting on the links to normally hold them in engagement with the guide,a casing movably mounted in the chamber and enclosingrthe links, saidcasing adapted to move on set-back and having an offset to provide areduced rear part and an enlarged front part, and a springnormally-holding the casing with its reduced part in position to opposemovement of the links out of engagement with the guide.

4. In a fuse', a container having a chamber, a tubular guide extendinginto the front part of the chamber, a plunger disposed in the chamberand having a tube extending into the guide, centrifugally movable linkspivotally mounted in the plunger, a, foot on the front end of each linkadapted to engage the guide whereby the links hold the plunger inrearward position, means acting on the links to normally hold them inengagement with the guide, a casing enclosing the links and normally inposition to oppose movement of the links out of engagement with theguide, said casing movable on Yset-back to release the links.

5. In a fuse, a container having a chamber, a tubular guide extendinginto the front part of the chamber, a plunger disposed in the chamberand having a tube extending into the guide, centri igally movable linkspivotally mounted in the plunger, ra foot on the front end of each linkadapted to engage the guide whereby the links hold the plunger inrearward position, means acting on the links to normally hold them inengagement with the guide, and means for normally opposing movement ofthe links out of engagement with the guide and releasable on set-back.

6. In a fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relative to said memberand having a central stem, centrifugally movable links pivotally mountedat their rear ends in the plunger, said links adapted to engage the stopmember whereby they hold the plunger against movement, a head on therear end of each link and having a jaw, a sleeve on the stem of theplunger and having a flange inserted in the jaws of the links, and aspring conned between the front end of the sleeve and a portion of thestem of the plunger.

7. In a fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relative to said memberand having a central stem, centrifugally movable links pivotally mountedat their rear ends in the plunger, said links adapted to engage the stopmember whereby they hold the plunger against movement, a sleeve cn thestem of the plunger and engageable with the links and a spring confinedbetween the front end of the sleeve and a portion of the stem of theplunger.

8. In a fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relative to said member,centrifugally movable links pivotally carried by the plunger, meansacting on the links to normally hold them in engagement with the stopmember, a casing movably mounted relative to the plunger and enclosingthe links, said casing adapted to move on setback and having an offsetto provide a reduced rear part and an enlarged front part, and a springnormally holding the casing with its reduced part in position to opposemovement of the links out of engagement with the stop member.

9. In a, fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relatively to saidmember, centrifugally movable links pivotally carried by the plunger,means acting on the links to normally hold them in engagement with thestop member, a casing movably mounted relative to the plunger andenclosing the links, means for normally holding the casing in positionto oppose movement of the links out of engagement with the stop member,said casing movable on set-back to release the links, and means on thelinks whereby they are picked up by the casing on movement of the lattercounter to set-back.

A 10. In a fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relative to saidmember, centrifugally movable links pivotally carried by the plunger andnormally engageable with the stop member, a casing movably mountedrelative to the plunger and enclosing the links, means for normallyholding the casing in position to oppose movement of the links out ofengagement with the stop member, said casing movable on set-back torelease the links, and means on the links whereby they are picked up bythe casing on movement of the latter counter to set-back.

11. In a fuse, a stop member, a plunger movable relative to said member,centrifugally movable links vpivotally carried by the plunger andnormally engageable with the stop member, a casing movably mountedrelative to the plunger and enclosing the links, means for normallyholding the casing in position to oppose movement of the links out ofengagement with the stop member, and said casing movable on set-back torelease the links.

HERMANN H. ZORNIG.

